In Ireland

Hello all! I know, I've been bad about doing my blog but things tend to go a little crazy when traveling. Sorry! Anyway, I am in a little town called Dingle on the west coast of Ireland and it is beautiful and charming. I traveled from Dublin to a small town called Cashel for the night and than onto Dingle yesterday. Ireland is gorgeous! It looks like the postcards and films with green, green hills and quaint bordered hedges. Mixed among the sheep and cows are their little lambs and calves grazing on the fields.

I've had a nice blend so far of the calm countryside and the crazy fun of the city. Dublin during St. Patrick's Day was so, so great! The whole town got decked out in green & gold and everyone was in a boisterous mood. I met up with my friends Heidi & Mark & a few other people from Napoli and spent several days together in Dublin. Sunday was funny in it's variety but seemed very Irish. We went to church at St. Patrick's Cathederal and on the way there, right in front of the church we saw a girl dressed up in a sparkly silver skirt & high heels obviously doing the walk of shame home. The service was extremely beautiful and I felt very lucky to be able to spend Palm Sunday in a place that people have worshiped at for 1,000 years. After church we walked over to the Guiness factory and took the tour. The views from the top of the factory are wonderful and you can see all over the city. That evening we went on a literary pub crawl with two funny actors taking us around to the haunts of Dublin's author's. I'm glad I've come over here and most of it has been extremely enjoyable. The other day was frustrating because I left my guidebook in the internet cafe and when I came back a half an hour later, the clerk said he gave it away to an older couple. Thanks. Nowhere had Rick Steve's book so I ended up having to buy a lonely planet one instead. Ah well, what can you do? :) I'm going to walk a bit after this around the town and countryside. Cheers!